FORT SMITH, AK-Baldor Electric Co. is expanding its distribution operations at a time when other manufacturers have been forced to downsize. MORE

CHICAGO-The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union has approved a new contract that calls for a general wage increases of 15 percent over four years and increased job security. MORE

DEARBORN, MI-ford Motor Co. has begun production of the new F-150 pickup truck at its Rouge plant in Michigan. MORE

DETROIT-Analysts are saying there could be an agreement between General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC by Tuesday that would result the closing of half of Chrysler’s assembly plants closing and the loss of 24,000 lost jobs. MORE

BIRMINGHAM, AL-Mercedes-Benz is offering to buy out about 4,000 of the workers currently employed at its Alabama assembly plants. MORE

HUNTSVILLE, AL-After a three-month suspension, Toyota's Huntsville plant has resumed producing V-8 engines bound for assembly plants in Indiana and Texas. MORE

KRAGUJEVAC, Serbia-Serbia’s deputy minister of economics Nebojsa Ciric says his country wants to help General Motors build a new plant to produce the Opel Astra Classic automobile. MORE

PRINCE GEORGE, VA-Rolls-Royce PLC says the slowing economy will not stop its plan to build a new aircraft engine assembly and testing plant in Virginia. MORE

AUBURN HILLS, MI-Chrysler plans to drop production of the hybrid version of its Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicles, leaving the company without a single hybrid in its lineup until at least 2010. MORE

WASHINGTON-New orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rose unexpectedly in September by 0.8 percent, led by surging demand for defense goods and transportation equipment. MORE